Reconsidering Kids' Daily Bath

Sometimes, it's hard to discern what is common practice because it's actually healthy vs. what is just a cultural norm. Believe it or not, this is the case with daily bathing for children! While many parents make sure their kids take baths or showers each day, it's not actually proven to be the best way to ensure they're healthy.

The reason adults need to shower more often than children is what you would expect—once people reach adolescence, they sweat, smell and grow bacteria more. 

Of course, you're always going to want to consider making it a bath day if you spent the day with kids at a farm, the zoo, getting really muddy, etc. However, the American Academy of Dermatology says kids bathing less frequently gives children's bodies the chance to build a healthier immune system and fight off bacteria. 

Here are some bath routines to consider:

• Babies and toddlers: A sponge bath once or twice per week (especially if they aren't walking)
• Children ages 6-11: Two to three times per week
• Once kids hit puberty: daily (and they should wash their face twice per day!)

Naturally, if a child has a skin condition, or other factors, their schedule might look a little different, but these standards are a good place to start!

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